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China and how progressive it is?

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So the Chinese government is 60 years old and they claim that they are becoming more open and progressive and less repressive?

After reading this article in the Vancouver Sun, I just can’t help but wonder what the colour of the sun set is, through the eyes of the Chinese Government. You get these kids celebrating the 60th anniversary of communism and all the openness that comes with it and then out of nowhere the government puts the kiebash to some of the acts!

China’s government, always on the lookout for an opportunity to demonstrate how free and progressive they are, has banned the bands from appearing at one of Asia’s largest underground music festivals, just days before they were due to be on stage.

Some of the bands on the list are British Sea Power, the Buzzcocks, International Noise Conspiracy, Radio 4 and The Futureheads. The event is to be held at the Beijing’s Chaoyang Park at the Modern Sky Festival and runs from Sunday 4 October 2009 – Wednesday 7 October 2009.

Wow, if this is an open society then I’d hate to see a repressive one!

Keep on Jammin’ in the free world!





Musical Tip for the day

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Some tips are simple, some a little more difficult and then there are some that are just so profound! Which category this one falls into I’m not so sure, so I’ll let you decide for yourself! This is just something I worked on the other day and I couldn’t keep it too myself!

tipoftheday

I hope everyone has a safe day out there!

Keep on Jammin’

Bruce Cockburn’s Life Short Call Now album

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I just ran into a Bruce Cockburn album that I was not aware of until right now! The album is titled Life Short Call Now (2006).

The song that caught my eye and had my feet a tapping is called Different When It Comes To You.

It has a hint of pop and the regular challenge that he regularly provides us is not here in this song. He’s still better then most out there in the industry today!

I find this video quite appealing, visually that is. Some folks out there may think that he is selling out, but as in the past, that is not his end game! The singer/port Ani DiFranco does a guest appearance on this tune as well!

I just thought I’d share it with you all, enjoy!

Keep on Jammin’

Aerosmith Dream On – A Quick Glance of The Song Backgrounds

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Aerosmith Dream On was the first single ever created by the group. It first appeared on their initial album in 1973. Steven Tyler wrote the song which was heavily influenced by the blues.

Aerosmith Dream On was the first major hit for the group. It only reached number 59 when it was originally released as singles. But in 1976 it made it all the way up to number six during its re-release. It was first played live at a Connecticut inn. Aerosmith Dream On was later released by the group in eight compilations, as well as on two boxed sets.

Aerosmith Dream On was named one of the 500 songs that shaped rock. It was 172 in Rolling Stone’s top 500 greatest songs. Some Aerosmith fans believe this is their signature song.

Many times songs, such as Aerosmith Dream On, are sampled for other music. That means short portions of the song appear in some way. Eminem sampled the song in his 2002 album the Eminem Show. Aerosmith’s lead vocalist played the guitar solo on the tracks. Some less well-known artists sampled or covered Aerosmith Dream On. These include Andru Donalds, and a rapper named Slim Thug.

There is a myth that the band Led Zeppelin actually wrote the song. That’s false. Buick uses the song in their commercials. Dream up is the slogan in the commercials. It also appeared in a number of movies.  These include Miracle from Walt Disney, and Last Action Hero.

Aerosmith Dream On has been featured in a number of video games. It was used in the opening of Dead or Alive Ultimate. There’s a game called Guitar Hero Aerosmith. The song was re-recorded just for the game. People could also download Aerosmith Dream On for the game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. Its appearance in that game was to promote the new game.

Even orchestras have been involved with Aerosmith Dream On. In the 1990s a concert was done for MTV’s 10th anniversary. And in 2006 members of Aerosmith performed it with the Boston Pops. They have sometimes dedicated the song to deceased fans or fallen soldiers.

Aerosmith Dream On  is a true classic.

The Tascam DR-07 recording tool that fits into your pocket

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The TASCAM DR-07 looks like a really neat way to have a very versatile and rather compact recording device that fits right into your pocket or backpack. It would be fabulous just to have something like this if your doing a simple acoustic jam with a buddy and all you want is to have a simple play back function to just review what you just played. This will help you find out what parts of a song to work on.

The thing that honestly caught my attention was the slow down function of this guitar recording device. This would work out nicely when your figuring out how to play a certain song that is being played. It would definitely work to your advantage if the song is being performed at maybe a little faster speed then your comfortable with?

It just came to my attention the other day while I was on line so I can’t vouch for it. I do have something similar to it, but it as some drawbacks to it that the DR-07 doesn’t.

This device is called the Ibanez Rock & Play RP2000. It is a hand held tape recorder that allows you to plug two guitars and it will allow you to play both the song on cassette tape and hear your guitar playing all at the same time through two separate headphones, if two players are using it.

The neat thing about the Rock & Play is that, similar to the DR-07, it allows you to slow down the song so it can help you pick out the parts of it that you need to work on, at your own pace that is. The major drawback with it is that you had to tune down your guitar strings to the NEW PITCH of the song. Imagine playing an old record and then you place your figure on it to slow it down. The song itself, or the pitch of the tune, would be a little different sounding then to what you are use to hearing.

Musicians will appreciate the playback functions of the DR-07, including the ability to loop MP3s and slow them down without changing the pitch.

The Tascam DR-07 is quite the versatile recording unit. It would be a real neat part of your bag of guitar accessories to say the least! If you happen to have one of these at your finger tips, then please tell us the pros and cons of this item in the comment section.

Keep on Jammin’

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